Thousands have protested on the spot where Pavlos Fissas, 35, was stabbed to death in Athens, and protests have been reported in Patras and Thessaloniki, two other Greek cities. Further protests are expected Thursday evening.

Samaras described the murder as "inhuman".

Earlier on Thursday, Yannis Stournaras, the Greek finance minister, told a conference that the economy was heading towards recovery, after six years of recession.